Page:Brinkley - Japan - Volume 6.djvu/185

 larly known as Tenryu-ji-bune (ƒune=a ship), and the name came also to be applied to some of the articles carried by them from China, notably to fine specimens of Yuan céladon, several of which reached Japan by this route. Within a few years after this renewal of tradal relations between the two Empires, a fresh interruption occurred owing to the overthrow of the Yuan Mongols by the Chinese Ming, and owing also to the activity of Japanese pirates and adventurers who raided the coasts of China through a wide area. The Shōgun Yoshimitsu (1368—1394), however, succeeded in restoring commercial intercourse, though in order to effect his object he consented that goods sent from Japan should bear the character of tribute, and that he himself should receive investiture at the hands of the Chinese Emperor. See Appendix, note 49. The Nanking Government granted a certain number of commercial passports, and these were given by the Shōgun to Ouchi, feudal chief of Nagato, which had long been the principal port for trade with the neighbouring Empire. The resulting commerce was conducted in a peculiar manner. Tribute goods formed only a small fraction of a vessel's cargo: the bulk consisted of articles which were delivered into the Government's stores in China, payment being received in copper cash. It was from this transaction that the Shōgun derived a considerable part of his profits, for the articles did not cost him anything origi-